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Tag: #MagicDesignStudios

  • Submerge into NAUTUS: How to Join the Closed Beta for the Quirky New Underwater Co-Op Adventure

    Submerge into NAUTUS: How to Join the Closed Beta for the Quirky New Underwater Co-Op Adventure

    If you loved the fast-paced, stylish combat of Have a Nice Death or the stunning platforming of Unruly Heroes, get ready to dive into something completely different. Publisher Arc Games and indie developer Magic Design Studios have officially announced that their newly revealed title, NAUTUS, is opening its doors for a Steam Closed Beta Playtest.

    Described as a charm-filled, offbeat mix of ocean survival, island base-building, and exploration—recalling fan favourites like Dave the Diver, Subnautica, SteamWorld Dig, and Terraria—NAUTUS is preparing to let players get their hands on the game for the very first time.

    When Does the NAUTUS Closed Beta Start?

    The Closed Beta Playtest officially kicks off on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 7:00 AM PDT.

    Magic Design Studios is looking for passionate indie gamers and fans of survival/exploration titles to hop into the test, test out early mechanics, and drop valuable feedback in their official Discord channel to help shape the project throughout development.

    What is NAUTUS?

    NAUTUS brings a unique, dual-layered gameplay loop that blends cosy island life with high-stakes subaquatic exploration. Whether playing solo or teaming up with friends in 4-player online co-op, players will cycle between two distinct phases:

    1. On the Surface (Cosy Sanctuary)

    Above the waves, take a breather in a vibrant tropical base. You’ll meet a cast of eccentric, amnesiac island inhabitants—like a tanning-obsessed diver and an overly ambitious expedition chief—and complete quests to help recover their lost memories. You can construct and customise your haven, farm vital supplies, manage resources, and engineer modular upgrades for your vessel.

    2. Below the Surface (Deep Abyss)

    Take the helm of your customizable, upgradeable submarine and submerge into a dangerous, shifting underwater world. From colourful coral reefs and sunken pirate shipwrecks to dark trenches full of mutant sea life and environmental hazards, you’ll need to gather rare crafting materials, defeat hostile creatures, and unlock deep secrets hidden at the ocean floor.

    How to Sign Up for the NAUTUS Playtest

    Joining the playtest takes just a minute:

    1. Visit the Sign-Up Page: Head over to playtest.playnautus.com.
    2. Submit Your Details: Complete the registration to request access for the Steam Closed Beta.
    3. Wishlist on Steam: Don’t forget to head over to the official NAUTUS Steam Store page to wishlist the game and stay up to date on future updates.

    Get your crew together, sign up early, and prepare to explore the depths when the beta goes live on August 31!

    #NAUTUS #ArcGames #MagicDesignStudios #IndieGames #PCGaming #SteamPlaytest #DaveTheDiver #Subnautica #CoOpGaming #GamingNews

  • Cozy Above, Chaos Below: Arc Games & Magic Design Studios Reveal NAUTUS!

    Cozy Above, Chaos Below: Arc Games & Magic Design Studios Reveal NAUTUS!

    If you’ve ever wanted the relaxing vibes of a tropical island SIM paired with the white-knuckle thrills of deep-sea exploration, your next gaming obsession has arrived.

    Arc Games—the powerhouse publisher of AA and indie hits—has teamed up with Magic Design Studios (the brilliant minds behind Have a Nice Death and Unruly Heroes) to announce their next major project: NAUTUS.

    Described as a charmingly quirky island adventure, NAUTUS flips the typical indie loop on its head. Above water, the surface acts as your cosy sanctuary. Below the waves? Well… the ocean floor is a whole different beast.

    Here’s everything you need to know about this dual-layered, offbeat adventure!

    The Mystery of NAUTUS Station

    The story kicks off when you receive a strange, unsettling radio transmission from your uncle, Bernard Torpedo. Following the signal, you arrive at the remote N.A.U.T.U.S. research station only to find a very peculiar crisis unfolding:

    The resident scientists have completely lost their memories and developed an intense, paralysing phobia of the ocean.

    As the only person willing to face the watery depths, it’s up to you to pilot an upgradable submarine, plunge into dangerous underwater trenches, battle bizarre mutant marine life, and recover mysterious artefact stones. Only by piecing together these artefacts can you restore the locals’ memories and uncover the truth behind your uncle’s sudden disappearance.

    A Tale of Two Worlds: The Gameplay Loop

    What makes NAUTUS stand out is its clever blend of relaxing life-sim mechanics and action-packed deep-sea survival.

    Cosy Above: Build & Unwind

    When you’re on land, you can take a breather. The island surface is your safe space to:

    • Customise & Expand: Transform a secluded tropical outpost into a bustling home base. Set up machinery, process rare resources, and craft vital gear.
    • Befriend the Locals: Meet a delightfully eccentric cast of amnesiac islanders—including a tanning-obsessed diver and a quirky expedition chief.
    • Restore the Island: Complete quests to cure the inhabitants of their marine phobias and bring their true personalities back.

    Dangerous Below: Plunge Into the Abyss

    When you step into your customizable submarine, the game transforms:

    • Deep Sea Exploration: Navigate uncharted trenches, glowing coral reefs, and eerie sunken pirate shipwrecks.
    • Mutant Monsters: Combat and capture strange, mutated sea creatures that guard hidden treasures.
    • Tech & Upgrades: Harvest rare materials to upgrade your submarine’s hull, weapons, and specialised dive modules, allowing you to venture into even deeper, more hostile environments.

    Play Solo or Dive In with Friends!

    Whether you prefer solitary deep-sea dives or chaotic group expeditions, NAUTUS has you covered. The game features 4-player online co-op, allowing you and up to three friends to team up, manage your tropical base together, and brave the ocean depths as a squad.

    When Can You Play?

    NAUTUS is set to launch in Steam Early Access in 2027.

    Given Magic Design Studios’ stellar track record with Have a Nice Death, this unique blend of cosy island management and sub-aquatic horror-lite action is definitely one to keep on your radar.

    Head over to Steam today to add NAUTUS to your Wishlist, and prepare to dive deep into the unknown!

    What do you think of NAUTUS? Are you excited to pilot your own submarine, or will you stick to the cosy surface? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #NAUTUS #IndieGames #ArcGames #MagicDesignStudios #GamingNews #CozyGaming #PCGaming #SteamEarlyAccess #CoOpGames #HaveANiceDeath #TechMash